Glossybox Review

If working behind cosmetic counters taught me anything, it’s that people go batshit crazy for samples; so it makes total sense to me why subscription boxes are a thing.

When I think of beauty boxes there are two brands that come to mind, Birchbox and Glossybox. Even though I’ve never been super drawn to subscription boxes, I recently got the opportunity to try Glossybox and wanted to check it out.

Glossy Box Review: First Impressions

I’m a sucker for packaging and Glossybox’s presentation is on point. Even the shipping boxes are decorated and look cute sitting in your mailbox. When you open the keepsake box (which is also adorable and different each month), the samples are laying underneath tissue paper and ribbon. Glossybox makes the whole unboxing process feel like it’s your birthday.

Brands

I’m drawn to Glossybox’s list of brands, especially for makeup and skincare. They have a mixture of high-end and pro lines such as Tom Ford, La Prairie and Koh Gen Do, Ellis Faas, Kevyn Aucoin among a ton of others. Their haircare brands are also worth checking out. As a commercial makeup artist in LA, I’m often asked to do hair and I love having deluxe sample sized hair products to keep in my kit. Davines, Phyto Paris, Redken and Ouidad are just a sample of hair brands you might see in your monthly box.

Price

Glossybox offers 1 3, 6 and 12 month subscription plans ranging from $17.50-$21 a month, depending on your subscription plan. Of course, the longer you sign up for, the cheaper your monthly box will be. Glossybox would be a really cute gift for a birthday or special occasion because of how cute the packaging is. They have a gift option on their website, but the plans are more expensive than if you were to subscribe yourself. It doesn’t look like there are any added perks to signing someone else up so I don’t understand why it would cost more.

May’s Box

At first glance into May’s box, I wasn’t overwhelmed with the products inside; mainly because I wasn’t familiar with the brands. I realized that that’s probably the whole point though, to try products you normally wouldn’t pick up. I was also thrown off a little by the Nioxin Cleanser and Conditioner as I associate Nioxin with bald men.

May’s box consisted of:

Talika Photo-Hydra Day Moisturizer

Rituals Cosmetics Shower Foam

VersaSpa Face Moisturizing Gradual Tanner

Nioxin System 3 Cleanser and Scalp Therapy Conditioner

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I ended up really liking the Talika Moisturizer which was an unexpected plus. I also noticed that the 30ml sized tube you get in May’s box is worth $35.60, which is almost double what you would pay for the entire box.

June’s Box

June’s box was in collaboration with the Tony awards and it was a lot more exciting for me than May’s box.

June’s box consisted of:

Icona Milano Emotion Allowed Mascara

Tan Towel 2 Half Body Towelettes

LA Splash Liquid Lip Laquer

Sinful Colors Nail Polish

Sebastian Whipped Creme and Dark Oil

Caolion Premium Hot & Cool Pore Pack Duo

I love red lips, face masks and being tan, so this box checked all those squares. I could have done without the Kylie Jenner nail polish, and the Icona Milano mascara was not a favorite but overall this box was a winner.

I loved seeing my Glossybox package in the mail each month. The presentation was hands down my favorite part of the experience. While the two boxes I received didn’t contain the brands I had my fingers crossed for, I did get a chance to discover a few new brands and test some different products. As with any subscription box you never know what you’re going to get, and that’s the fun of it. Personally, I’m still not completely sold on subscription boxes so I don’t see myself signing up in the near future. However, I’ll definitely be keeping Glossybox in in mind as this would be the perfect gift to send as a thank you to repeat clients.

Disclaimer: I received these boxes as press samples. Sending me product does not guarantee a review and I accept no monetary compensation for in exchange for positive reviews. All opinions are honest and my own.

I am a freelance makeup artist in Los Angeles working mainly in print and television. Makeup and traveling are my passion and my heart resides at La Isla De Los Monos Monkey Rescue Center in the Peruvian Amazon.